Q. David Bowers: Identifying the positives attributes amid the challenges

The Joys of Collecting: Opening the hobby’s doors

Numismatic specialization, such as Hard Times and Civil War tokens, can be dynamic pursuits for hobbyists to consider when mapping out a course of collecting. Original images courtesy of Stack's.

Hard Times tokens is one area of numismatic specialization that hobbyists may consider pursuing. Images courtesy of American Numismatic Rarities.

The Internet has opened the door for hobbyists to bid on coins like an 1857-S Coronet gold $20 double eagle without ever having to leave home. Images courtesy of American Numismatic Rarities.

The Joys of Collecting column from the March 6, 2017, monthly issue
of Coin World:

There are some things that it seems we all need to accept — logical
or illogical:

Counterfeits are a problem. With the Internet, more are being sold
than ever before, including common and worn coins. Offerings play to
the natural love for bargains. The Industry Council for Tangible Assets and others
are working on this. The challenge is not new. The answer is not to
buy a coin that has not been reviewed by an expert. When I was a kid,
in the 1950s, more than half of the “1916-D” dimes in the marketplace
were fake. I and others had to learn about them.

There is no enforcement of ethics or truth in advertising by any
organization, although they will answer specific complaints.

To counter this, think twice and look around before buying anything
sold as a modern rarity or as an investment. A quick check is to look
on eBay to see what the resale market is for such things.

Never buy a coin for investment reasons only. Very few people who
have bought coins strictly for investment in the past few years can
show a profit if they decide to sell.

The Internet has opened the doors wide to countless new collectors.
Sites such as eBay in particular are filled with interesting offers
(but be careful). Professional Coin Grading Service and Numismatic Guaranty
Corp. have a world of information on their websites. The Newman
Numismatic Portal gives you a million-dollar library free of charge at
your fingertips.

Although Millennials in particular do not have the collecting spirit
their parents did, still via the Internet there are many new faces.
While perhaps the leading buyers of rarities in auctions are graying —
older collectors who have achieved success in a business or profession
— there are many others coming up behind. In a recent letter, Ute
Wartenberg Kagan, executive director of the American Numismatic
Society, said the ANS has lots of new members in their 30s and 40s.

In print there is more information available than ever before. Whitman
Publishing alone has issued over 300 titles in the past 15 years!

Further, one can “attend” an auction or convention by staying right
at home. Time was for my company’s auctions the gallery would be
filled to overflowing, we would bring extra chairs in, and still there
would be standing room only. Today Stack’s Bowers
Galleries, and the same can be said for Heritage Auctions and
other fine firms, can have record-breaking sales with only a few
people in the audience, while on the Internet, countless bidders from
all over the world participate in the auctions in virtual reality.
Also, this is a cure for the extreme inconvenience of traveling
anywhere by air, with security red tape and minimal comforts.

In brief, the secret to being a numismatist for life and to enjoying
the hobby to its fullest extent is to study and learn — a basic
working library is essential. Tap into the art and science of
numismatics, and ignore any investment pleas. When buying, consider
eye appeal and other factors — cherrypick for quality. Many coins
certified as Mint State 63 are nicer than those certified MS-65. Every
coin, token, medal, or bank note has a story to tell. Learn it! Each
of the items I illustrate this week could be the subject of a coin
club program! Go slowly as you learn. Stick with the hobby for several
years while doing the above, and you’ll be a reader of my column 10
years from now!

This column, started in 1961, is the longest running in numismatic
history. I have enjoyed writing every week.

Mr Bowers,
I Thoroughly enjoy reading your columns each week, as I'm a 25+ year
subscriber to Coin World.
I did notice in your " Grading Standards & Dealer
Certifications " comments, you were exactly correct. Changes need
to be made to both, as far as standards. I was "burned" by
one of the NY dealer ( & have not bought anything else from Them ),
when I purchased a 1924-D Standing Liberty Quarter it was advertised as
a BU, but had soooo many dings & marks , I had to take a substantial
loss. Yes, Sir, Dealers need accreditation & should be held
accountable for their false advertising.
I still have " newsprint copies from the 1990s & enjoy
re-reading each Coin World Copy again & again.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.

The Commission of Fine Artsâ recommendation for the Proof 2014 American Eagle platinum coin, left, brought outrage and derision at the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting. The CCAC recommended the design to the right.